Did* the pirates really fly a Jolly Roger?

You bet, or a variation of it. There are many legends about the background of the Jolly Roger (also known as Captain Death among pirates.) One of the most popular myths is that plague ships would fly a black flag to warn others to stay away. This plague flag became a black flag with a white cross that somehow mutated to a skull and crossbones on a back ground of black. The pirates began flying this flag as a way to keep prying eyes away. Eventually everyone caught onto the scheme. There is also the belief that Jolly Roger is from the eastern pirates. The Chiefs of Cannonore were notorious pirates had the Tamil title Ali Raja, meaning King of the Sea. They also flew a red jack or flag. At least one source claims that the name was first given to the flag of Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts. Yet another account attributes the Buccaneers for the name. However, it is clear that buccaneers sailed as privateers for England and as such sailed under a national flag and not the Jolly Roger (at ...  more